Coalition beats 50:50 target in Nsanje
Youth Coalition for the Consolidation of Democracy (YCD) has beaten the 50:50 representation target in Nsanje District by achieving 60 percent after seeing women bag three of the district’s five parliamentary constituencies.
The three female MPs are Gladys Ganda of Nsanje Lalanje, Esther Mcheka Chilenje for Nsanje North Constituency and Eurita Mtiza Valeta for Nsanje South West Constituency.
YCD executive director Francis Folley told Malawi News Agency (Mana) yesterday that the development reflects the trust the people of Nsanje now have that women can also help set the agenda.
“We expected this outcome because of different strategies we put in place to support women participation and representation in the district,” he said.
Folley has since appealed to President Peter Mutharika to ensure that his new Cabinet includes increased representation of women.
He said: “We are not just calling for women’s inclusion, but looking at what women are bringing on the table for the benefit of our nation which includes men and women.”
In an interview on Sunday, Ganda said she knew that people of her constituency wanted to see change in leadership in the next five years.
Ganda is the first female legislator for Nsanje Lalanje since Malawi attained independence in 1964 while Valeta is the fourth female parliamentarian for Nsanje South West.
On the other hand, Chilenje will be representing Nsanje North for the third time. During her previous representation in Parliament, she has held the position of First Deputy Speaker.
